It’s safe to say that I’m intrigued from the moment The Kills walk out on stage at The Neptune on Oct. 27. They’re an unlikely duo to say the least. Jamie Hince, the guitarist, is a lanky, nervous-looking British guy who routinely rocks the neat patterned-scarf and tight-pants look. Alison Mosshart, on the other hand, is the American frontwoman who sports a head full of messy bleached-blonde hair, a plaid flannel shirt and a junkie demeanor of sorts. It’s clear when Mosshart picks up a guitar that she doesn’t really know how to play it, but that doesn’t seem to subtract from her badass points; the screaming audience is simply thrilled to see a legend in action.

Of the three separate times I’ve seen Blitzen Trapper (the folk-rock quintet based out of Portland, Ore.) play in Seattle, their most recent show at The Crocodile on October 29 tops my list as the absolute best. Eric Earley is without a doubt awkward and shy for a frontman; at all three shows I’ve seen he’s barely talked to or even looked at the audience for the entirety of the show. But when the lights dim and “Fletcher,” a comforting southern-rock tune comes on as the first of the set, you really can’t help but to forget about the awkwardness and stand in awe of Earley’s unique Bob Dylan-esque vocals, impressive guitar-playing and sensational song-writing skills.